brings to a head
Precipitates the crisis
To bring something to a head is to force a situation toward its crisis point or decisive moment.
The image comes from a boil or abscess that swells until it must burst: The budget dispute finally brought tensions to a head.
What has been simmering becomes acute and demands resolution.
- aggravationState of being vexed
- intensificationIncrease in degree
- watershedDrainage area boundary
- flashpointIgnition temperature threshold
- crisis pointDecisive turning moment
crossroads · heightening · judgment · culmination · exacerbation · tipping point · breaking point · final straw · last straw · boil over · determination · climax · confrontation · amplification · precipitate · conclusion · mediation · provocation
brings to a headprolongs
Extends the duration
drags out · postpones · delays · draws out · kicks the can down the road
brings to a headdefuses
Renders safe from detonation
diffuses · de-escalates · dissipates · calms · soothes
brings to a headaverts
Prevents from occurring
prevents · heads off · forestalls · staves off · wards off
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